Soltys served for 25 years as Sports Information Director at the University of Connecticut (1959-1984). Solyts was the leader in the New England region in the establishment of the CoSIDA Academic All-America® program. His late brother, Frank Soltys, was SID at Arizona for many years as well.
courtesy of the University of Connecticut
STORRS, Conn. - Joseph J. Soltys, who served as the Sports Information Director at the University of Connecticut for 25 years from 1959-84, passed away on Thursday morning (Nov. 11) at the age of 89.
A native of Haydenville, Mass., Soltys served in the United States Navy during World War II and held civil service jobs with the Navy Department in Boston and the Veterans Administration in Northampton, Mass. Soltys became sports editor for the
Northampton Gazette, where he served for three years before his appointment at UConn in 1959.
During his career, Soltys was part of some of the proudest moments in UConn athletic history as the Division of Athletics went through an incredible growth period. Among those achievements were the men's basketball team advancing to the NCAA Eastern Regional Final in 1964, three trips to the College World Series in 1965, 1972 and 1979 and the men's soccer team winning the NCAA Division I National Championship in 1981.
He worked a total of 272 consecutive men's basketball game at UConn, 173 consecutive football games and was on hand for 251 consecutive baseball games.
Soltys was also a member of the NCAA Public Relations Committee and was the leader in the New England Region in the establishment of the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America program. He also served as the statistician for the Yankee Conference in football, basketball and baseball.
His wife, Elizabeth (Betsy), preceded him in death, passing away in 2003. Soltys is survived by his three children: Michael Soltys and Teresa of Southington, Conn., Judy DiCristofaro and her husband Don of Hingham, Mass., and Anne Otto and her husband Bob of Willimantic, Conn. Soltys had six brothers and sisters and is survied by Cecelia Allaire and Tony Soltys and six grandchildren.
His son Mike is a Vice President of ESPN in the communications area. His late brother, Frank Soltys, was an SID at Arizona for many years.
Calling hours will take place at Potter Funeral Home (456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, Conn.) on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel on the UConn campus (46 North Eagleville Road).